“On a scale of 100, I will say more than 50 per cent of girls have been admitted to study sciences since 2009, ” he said.

He said that the university would continue to create the enabling environment to encourage students in sciences.

The vice-chancellor said the award to the women “will motivate others in the field of science”.

The UNESCO-L’Oreal awardees were recognised each in the ” Laureates and fellows” honours categories.

Prof. Francisca Okeke , the first female Head of Department at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, bagged the 2013 Laureate award for her significant contributions to the scientific study on climate change.